Haiti’s senior national football team, the Grenadiers, is set to face Nicaragua in a pivotal 2026 World Cup Qualifying match on October 9, 2025, at the National Stadium in Managua. This encounter marks the third of six matches in the final qualifying phase for Haiti, as they aim to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament. The game is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. (Haiti time) and is expected to draw significant attention from fans and analysts alike. Historically, Haiti has dominated this fixture, with six wins out of nine previous meetings, scoring 15 goals and conceding nine. Their most recent victory over Nicaragua was a 1-0 triumph in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers. However, the Grenadiers face challenges ahead of the match, with key player Yassine Fortuné sidelined due to injury and Fabrice Picault absent for undisclosed reasons. Lambèse has been called up as a last-minute reinforcement to complete the 23-player squad. Haiti’s ambition is clear: to secure a victory in front of 17,000 spectators and reignite their dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Following this match, Haiti will face Honduras on October 13th in a return leg, after their first encounter ended in a goalless draw. The Grenadiers’ journey continues in November with matches against Curaçao and Costa Rica. Currently, Haiti sits third in Group C with two points from two matches, trailing Honduras and Costa Rica. Nicaragua, with just one point, is at the bottom of the group. This match is a critical opportunity for Haiti to climb the standings and strengthen their World Cup aspirations.
